When I first moved to Amsterdam I used public transportation all the time. At first, it can seem overwhelming but after a while, you find that it is well organized.
How do you use public transportation in Amsterdam? Public transportation in Amsterdam is operated by the GVB. They cover transportation via tram, metro, bus, and are accessible with the same ticket within a time frame. Other ways to get around are (Uber) taxi, bike taxi, rent a bike or just walk.
In this article, I will give more information about using the various ways of transportation and how to get around in Amsterdam.
Public transportation: an overview
Public transportation in Amsterdam is covered by the GVB (Gemeentelijke Vervoersbedrijf). This is well organized by them and the cover transportation via tram, metro, bus and ferry. There are view places where you can use a ferry. You will probably use only one, which is located behind the central station (Amsterdam Centraal) and it is free.
The main station in Amsterdam is called Amsterdam Centraal. From there you can travel to anywhere. There are also a lot of international trains that depart from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris, London, Antwerpen, Milan and many more.
Below you can see a map of Amsterdam Centraal Station (Central Station)
At this station, you have all services when it comes to travelling like travel information, buying tickets, bike renting, and such.
During the years GVB phased out cash payments on the bus and trams. As for now, it is a completely cashless system. So make sure you have a debit or credit card, or an OV-chipcard with cash on it.
Public transportation option
Metro
The Amsterdam Metro is a public transportation system in Amsterdam, Diemen and Duivendrecht, managed by GVB. The length of the network is approximately 53 km and the biggest part is underground. There are 5 lines available:
- M50 – Runs from Isolatorweg to Gein
- M51 – Runs from Central Station to Isolatorweg
- M52 – Runs from Noord to Zuid
- M53 – Runs from Central Station to Gaasperplas
- M54 – Runs from Central Station to Gein
Tram
The tram is also exploited by the GVB and is a smaller version of the metro. While the metro serves bigger stops at specific places, the metro stops at more places all over the city. The network counts 13 lines:
- 1 – Runs from Muiderpoortstation to Osdorp De Aker
- 2 – Rust from Centraal Station to Nieuw Sloten
- 3 – Runs from Zoutkeetsgracht to Flevopark
- 4 – Runs from Centraal Station to Station RAI
- 5 – Runs from Westergasfabriek – Amstelveen Stadshart
- 7 – Runs from Slotermeer to Azartplein
- 12 – Runs from Centraal Station to Amstelstation
- 13 – Runs from Centraal Station to Geuzenveld
- 14 – Runs from Centraal Station to Flevopark
- 17 – Runs from Centraal Station to Osdorp Dijkgraafplein
- 19- Runs from Sloterdijk to Diemen Sniep
- 24 – Runs from Centraal Station to VU Medisch Centrum
- 26 – Runs from Centraal Station to Ijburg
Bus
The Amsterdam public bus system has a bigger network after the tram. This is also managed by the GVB with 35 bus lines and many more stops. For an overview of the bus network, please check the GVB bus routes and schedules map.
Between Amsterdam and Schiphol you have line 397 which departs every 8 minutes from the airport.
Ferry
The GVB has 3 ferry lines that will take you to the north of Amsterdam. These ferries are entirely free to use and there is no ticket required. Ferry services are available for foot passengers, cyclists, and moped users.
The ferry lines are:
- Line 901/907 – Central Station to Buiksloterweg
- Line 902 – Central Station to IJplein
- Line 906 – Central Station to NDSM-wharf
There are also 2 additional ferries that operate out of the Western Islands area, as well as a ferry from Azartplein to Zamenhofstraat.
Especially with good and sunny weather, these boats offer a beautiful view of Amsterdam. The most popular ferry route is Line 907 from Amsterdam Central Station to Buiksloterweg, ideal for attractions such as the Eye Filmmuseum and Tolhuistuin
Train
The main train station is Amsterdam Central, which is serviced by GVB’s trams, buses, ferries and the metro. If you plan the visit locations outside of Amsterdam, by train is the best way. Also, international trains depart from Amsterdam Central Station to popular cities in Europe.
The train service is managed by NS (Nederlandse Spoorwegen), a dutch railroad corporation. Keep in mind that you cannot use a GVB ticket for admission to the rail network.
Ticket information and prices
There are a lot of places where you can buy tickets or top-up your OV-Chipcard. The OV-Chipcard you can use across the entire public transportation network in the Netherlands. Some tickets only apply in the GVB network. For example, you can not buy a ticket at GVB and use it on bus 397 that takes you to Schiphol airport.
GVB disposable paper chip cards
You have different tickets at the GVB. In the table below I will give an overview of all the types.
| Occasional trips | Information |
| GVB 1 hour | The 1 hour ticket allows you to travel for one hour, starting at the first check in, on all GVB lines. |
| Bike ticket | You may take your bike with you – outside rush hours – in the metro and the IJtram |
| GVB 1 hour + Bike | This is a useful ticket if you only occasionally travel using public transport and want to take your bike with you. You may take your bike – outside rush hours – only on the metro and tram 26. |
| Bus Tram Metro 1.5 hour (BTM) | This travel product is valid for one and a half hours in the buses, trams, and metros of GVB, Connexxion, and EBS. You can use this ticket to effortlessly transfer between the regional buses to the tram or metro within the Amsterdam travel region. |
With the GVB 1 hour ticket you can transfer unlimited between GVB transportation within an hour. Be sure to check out if you leave the bus or tram. When using the metro there are gates so there is no other way than to check out.
The GVB bike tickets you can use in all of Amsterdam outside the rush hours. Rush hours are Monday to Friday, between 07:00-09:00 and between 16:00-18:30. On ferries, there is no charge. On all vehicles, there are designated spaces to place the bike.
| Multi Day tickets | Information |
| 1 day | The GVB day ticket provides you with unlimited travel on all GVB routes, regardless of distance, both day and night. The ticket becomes valid the first time you check in. |
| 1 day Child | This children’s version of the GVB day ticket has a greatly reduced price. This ticket is for children aged 4 through 11 years. The ticket becomes valid the first time you check in. |
| 2 days | The GVB multi-day ticket provides you with unlimited travel on all GVB routes, regardless of distance, both day and night. The ticket becomes valid the first time you check in. |
| 3 days | The GVB multi-day ticket provides you with unlimited travel on all GVB routes, regardless of distance, both day and night. The ticket becomes valid the first time you check in. |
| 4 days | The GVB multi-day ticket provides you with unlimited travel on all GVB routes, regardless of distance, both day and night. The ticket becomes valid the first time you check in. |
| 5 days | The GVB multi-day ticket provides you with unlimited travel on all GVB routes, regardless of distance, both day and night. The ticket becomes valid the first time you check in. |
| 6 days | The GVB multi-day ticket provides you with unlimited travel on all GVB routes, regardless of distance, both day and night. The ticket becomes valid the first time you check in. |
| 7 days | The GVB multi-day ticket provides you with unlimited travel on all GVB routes, regardless of distance, both day and night. The ticket becomes valid the first time you check in. |
All the multi day tickets validate the moment you check in.
| Night | Information |
| GVB Night bus 1 ride | With the GVB night bus 1 ride you travel unlimited for 1.5 hours with all GVB night buses. |
| GVB Night bus 12 rides | This product is economical for you if you travel regularly on the GVB night bus. Each trip is valid for 1.5 hours on the GVB night buses. You can make unlimited transfers within the night network within 1.5 hours. |
OV Chipcard
What is the OV-chipcard?
The OV-chipcard, a plastic card the size of your bank card, is the payment method for public transport in the Netherlands. With this card, you no longer need to worry about strip tickets or metro tickets. Just load enough credit onto the card in Euro. There are many places where you can top-up the card.
Compared to the GVB disposable tickets, you can transfer easily from one operator to another. You can use it through The Netherlands at all operators and vehicles
Amsterdam Travel Ticket
With the Amsterdam Travel Ticket, you can travel unlimited in Amsterdam for one calendar day on every form of transportation like:
- NS train
- GVB bus (day and knight), metro and tram
- Amsterdam Airport Express (bus 397) and Niteliner N97 (of Connexxion) between Schiphol and Amsterdam
Depending on whether you have the 1, 2, or 3-day variant, this ticket is valid from the first time you check in until 04:00 in the morning after the last valid day.
Where can you purchase the Amsterdam Travel Ticket?
- AKO’s Luchthaven at Schiphol Airport
- Holland Tourist Information at Schiphol Airport
- I Amsterdam Visitor Centre Amsterdam at Schiphol Airport
- NS Tickets & Service Schiphol
- GVB Service point
- GVB Service & Tickets-desk
- GVB Ticket Vending machine (pin/credit card/cash)
Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket
With the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket, you can explore the Amsterdam Area and offers unlimited public transportation by metro, tram bus and train
Alongside Amsterdam, the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket allows you to explore all popular and iconic sights and scenery of the surrounding area. The ticket is valid for 1, 2, or 3 calendar days, weekends included. A day in this context begins at 0:00 AM and ends the next day at 4:00 AM.
Where can you purchase the Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket?
- Tourist information offices
- Various hotels and campsites in the region of Amsterdam
- I Amsterdam Visitor Centre Stationsplein ai Amsterdam Central Station
- GVB Ticket Vending machine (pin/credit card/cash)
- GVB Service point
- GVB Service & Tickets-desk
Which Amsterdam ticket/pass to choose
As you have read before, there are a lot of options when it comes to using public transportation. Choosing the right ticket depends on how long you will stay, if you are planning to visit places outside of Amsterdam and where you are planning to stay.
Below we have put all the pros and cons of the tickets in an overview so it will be easier for you to choose.
| Ticket | Pros | Cons |
| GVB tickets | * Relatively good value * 24 hour validity rather than calendar day * Plenty of choice form 1 hour up to to 168 hours * Can visit most Amsterdam city attractions using bus, tram or metro | * Limited GVB presence at Amsterdam Schiphol airport, only 69 bus to Sloterdijk and no ticket office. * No validity outside Amsterdam city area and only the be used in GVB carriers |
| OV Chipcard | * Valid on all (types) public transport in the Netherlands * Standard fares charged, often cheaper than disposable tickets * Lasts around 5 years | * Must always keep a minimum credit of €10 on top of ticket costs in trains in order to travel * Aimed at locals rather than visitors * Relatively complex check in and check out system when switching vehicles |
| Amsterdam Travel Ticket | * Unlimited travel between Schiphol airport and Amsterdam, good if staying near Schiphol * Saves time on buying airport train and GVB tickets separately * Can visit most Amsterdam city attractions using bus, tram or metro | * Calendar day validity, poor value if activating the ticket in the evening * Only available as a 1, 2 or 3 day ticket * No validity outside Amsterdam city area |
| Amsterdam & Region Travel Ticket | * Valid around Amsterdam, to/from airport and around region – Saves time on buying separate tickets | – Calendar day validity, poor value if activating the ticket in the evening – Only available as a 1, 2 or 3 day ticket – Relatively expensive |
Other ways to get around Amsterdam
Besides the typical public transportation options, there are many other ways to find your way around Amsterdam such as:
- (Uber) Taxi
- Bicycle
- Bicycle taxi
- Hop-on-Hop-of bus and boat
Taxi
Taking a taxi can be useful on some occasions. Like when you must travel to or from the airport, at night after partying or you want to avoid the somewhat hectic public transportation.
Amsterdam city is made bike-friendlier by the year, so taxis are not allowed to stop on many places in the city. There are taxi queues throughout the city, mostly nearby party centres. Centers are at Central Station, Leidseplein, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal, Nieuwmarkt, Rembrandtplein (Amstel), Spui, Westermarkt, and many more.
You can also stop a taxi insofar they are allowed to stop. They are recognized by their taxi sign on the rooftop and blue license plate. They are also obligated to have their pricing visible somewhere on the car, mostly the side window in the back.
Uber taxis do not have the rooftop lights but also to be recognized by the blue license plate. In general, you must have the Uber app to use an Uber driver but if you hail at them they will certainly stop. By law, they have a taximeter and you can also pay on this bases.
What can you expect of Amsterdam taxis?
- The taxi driver must always accept short trips but is allowed to decline if he fears his safety
- The taximeter will be turned on when the tourney begins. In the end, you will receive a receipt. Keep this receipt as it contains important information about the trip and the taxi in case you want to file a complaint etc.
- Taxi drivers must deliver you safely to your destination via the shortest or quickest route. If they want to take a longer route they must ask your permission.
Bike Rental
A fun way to travel around Amsterdam is by bike. The city is very bike-friendly and every place is perfectly accessible by bike. On larger roads, the bike lanes are always separated. There are many bike rental companies in the city such as Mac Bike and Black Bikes.
Some basic rules when traveling by bike are:
- In general, is right-sided, so cycle as far to the right as possible
- Watch out for tram lanes
- Signal with your bell, for example to foot travellers wandering on the bike lane
- Stop at red lights
Bicycle Taxi
Another alternative way to get around is by using a bicycle taxi. You will mostly find them on the Dam square. And you can always hail at one.
With the increasing popularity and the innovative climate in The Netherlands, these taxis are now electric-powered compared to a few years ago. It is now even possible to be dropped off at the airport by a bicycle taxi.
A few alternatives operating in Amsterdam are (links may not open in your region):
Hop-on-Hop-of bus and boat
Another alternative transportation option you may want to consider is the hop-on-hop-off bus or boat service. They are useful for travels because they pass the most typical tourist attraction in the Amsterdam city center for example Rijksmuseum, the Heineken Experience, Madame Tussauds, the Van Gogh Museum and more!
The tickets are valid for multiple days. So you can use this service not only for the purpose of the tour but also as public transportation. The good news is that most tourist passes include the Hop on Hop off bus or boat tour.
For more information, please read through their website.
So here you have an overview of public transportation in Amsterdam and also other ways to travel around.
Enjoy your stay in Amsterdam!
